Stilt system

Abstract

An industrial stilt generally includes a floor-engaging member having a heel portion and a toe portion, a load-bearing riser pivotally coupled with the heel portion of the floor-engaging member, a biasing assembly pivotally coupled with and between the toe portion of the floor-engaging member and the load-bearing riser, a foot-engaging member, a leg support assembly, and a leg cuff assembly. The biasing assembly assists in preventing excessive forward or backward leans and maintains the load-bearing riser and the user in a substantially vertical, upright position. The position of the leg cuff assembly on the user's leg and the user's elevation may be easily and safely adjusted using bracket and load-bearing riser adjustment and locking assemblies. Foot-engaging member is provided with multiple securing straps and ratchet buckle assemblies to permit secure and adjustable attachment of the stilt to the user's foot, and leg cuff assembly is provided with a strap, ratchet assembly, and cuff pad to enhance adjustment and user comfort.

1. A stilt used in pairs for elevating a user thereof comprising:
 a floor-engaging member having a heel portion and a toe portion; 
 a foot-engaging member; 
 a single load-bearing riser fixably connected to said foot-engaging member, said single load-bearing riser comprising an upper end and a lower end thereby forming a length therebetween, said single load-bearing riser having an angle member; 
 said angle member having a first angle end and a second angle end, said first angle end pivotally coupled with said heel portion of said floor-engaging member at a position posterior to said load-bearing riser; 
 a single biasing assembly having a first biasing end and a second biasing end, said first biasing end of said single biasing assembly pivotally coupled with said second angle end of said single load-bearing riser and said second biasing end of said single biasing assembly pivotally coupled with said toe portion of said floor-engaging member, said biasing assembly extending at an angle from said single load-bearing riser to said toe portion of said floor-engaging member; 
 a leg support member coupled with said foot-engaging member; and 
 a leg cuff assembly coupled with said leg support member. 
 
     
     
       2. The stilt of  claim 1  wherein said floor-engaging member comprises a base and an outsole. 
     
     
       3. The stilt of  claim 1  wherein said single load-bearing riser comprises an upper riser portion in telescoping relation with a lower riser portion. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said upper riser portion is received within said lower riser portion. 
     
     
       5. The stilt of  claim 1  wherein said single biasing assembly comprises a piston and rod assembly. 
     
     
       6. The stilt of  claim 5  wherein said single biasing assembly further comprises a spring assembly, said spring assembly and said piston and rod assembly in substantially coaxial relation. 
     
     
       7. The stilt of  claim 1  wherein said single load-bearing riser is adapted to move from a first substantially perpendicular position in relation to said floor-engaging member to a second forward position with said single load-bearing riser angled towards said toe portion of said floor-engaging member. 
     
     
       8. The stilt of  claim 1  further comprising a leg support bracket comprising an aperture slidably receiving said leg support member, whereby said user can adjust the position of said leg cuff assembly on said user's leg. 
     
     
       9. A stilt used in pairs for elevating a user thereof comprising:
 a foot-engaging member; 
 a floor-engaging member comprising a heel portion and a toe portion; 
 a single load-bearing riser fixably connected to said foot-engaging member, said single load-bearing riser comprising:
 an upper end and a lower end, thereby forming a length therebetween, 
 an angle member having a first angle end and a second angle end, said first angle end pivotally coupled with said heel portion of said floor-engaging member at a position posterior to said load-bearing riser, 
 a lower riser portion extending generally vertically from said lower end, 
 an upper riser portion in telescoping relation with said lower riser portion, and, 
 a locking assembly configured to move from an engaged position maintaining said load-bearing riser in a fixed position to a disengaged position telescoping movement of a riser portion; 
 
 a single biasing assembly having a first biasing end and a second biasing end, said first biasing end of said single biasing assembly pivotally coupled with said second angle end of said load-bearing riser, said second biasing end of said single biasing assembly pivotally coupled with said toe portion of said floor-engaging member; 
 a leg support member coupled with said foot-engaging member; and 
 a leg cuff assembly coupled with said leg support member. 
 
     
     
       10. The stilt of  claim 9  wherein said locking assembly comprises
 a safety lever; 
 a locking member coupled to said safety lever, said locking member having a locking member tab; and, 
 a notch engagement member spring-biased to a release tab. 
 
     
     
       11. The stilt of  claim 9  wherein said leg support member extends upwards and generally parallel to said single load bearing riser along the side of said user's calf from said foot-engaging member to said leg cuff assembly. 
     
     
       12. The stilt of  claim 9 , further comprising a strap configured to allow a user to releasably attach said leg cuff assembly to said user's leg and a leg support bracket comprising an aperture slidably receiving said leg support member, whereby said user can adjust the position of said leg cuff assembly on said user's leg. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for elevating a user comprising:
 a foot-engaging member; 
 a floor-engaging member having a heel portion and a toe portion; 
 a single load-bearing riser fixably connected to said foot-engaging member, said single load-bearing riser including an angle member having a first angle end and a second angle end, said first angle end pivotally connected to said heel portion of said floor-engaging member; 
 a leg support member coupled to said foot-engaging member and extending generally parallel to said single load-bearing riser, and having a leg cuff assembly coupled thereto; 
 a single biasing assembly having a first biasing end and a second biasing end, said first biasing end pivotally coupled with said toe portion of said floor-engaging member and said second biasing end pivotally connected to said second angle end of said single load-bearing riser; and, 
 a locking assembly configured to move from an engaged position maintaining said single load-bearing riser in a fixed position to a disengaged position, thereby allowing adjustment of said length of said single load-bearing riser. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said single load-bearing riser comprises a lower riser portion and an upper riser portion in telescoping relation with said lower riser portion. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said upper riser portion is received within said upper riser portion. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said locking assembly comprises:
 a safety lever; 
 a locking member coupled to said safety lever, said locking member having a locking member tab; and, 
 a notch engagement member spring-biased to a release tab.